Hi Guys,

I need some advice. I fly sport planes, nothing fancy, but they will do all the basic aerobatics well. I just bought an ME 109 combat plane from modeltech. It's nice, comes as a A/E/T model. I put a Magnum .15 in it. It came with landing gear so I thought, hey, why not make it so I can take off from the ground? So I added
a rudder and steerable tail wheel. THIS IS MY FIRST TAIL DRAGGER. I have a huge problem on take-off, that is, the plane
just barely lifts off the ground and rolls lightning fast counter clockwise as seen from behind. It is so fast I don't have time to react. I know I should hold in some right rudder and keep the elevator up until it can rotate, which I do, but I don't know how to counter act this rolling phenomon. I did get the thing to fly a few time when my reflexes allowed me to get it airborne and it is a pleasure to fly once in the air. But those takeoffs! Someone help me before the plane turns to splinters. Is it just because of the planes size or is it me? I'm leaning toward..............me.
Any suggestions will help.

Rich

sounds like a speed issue.

let the model build up more speed before pulling up .. it sounds like you rotate and it tip stalls causeing the roll..

the small size adds to the problem when it stalls it stalls fast.

try a longer take off run and i think the rolling will go away.

War birds are funny like that.You have to be patient and let the plane take off level.If you give it too much elevator before it has the speed ,it will tip stall.Gently pull back on the stick and wait as long as you can before doing so.On my sport planes I can give it throttle and jerk the stick back and up it goes,you can't do this with a war bird
Hope this helps

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll take it up on Thursday and let you know how it turns out.

Rich

The problem is solved. I increased the rudder throw greatly and held the t.o run longer. It moved straight out.

I gotta ask you guys this- are all these combat models as fast and
manuverable as this thing? Its lightning fast at half throttle and turns on a dime.

Rich

Turns on a dime?
Heck - most of my combat ships will turn at least twice on a dime and give you change!!!

I have the same plane. I had that problem in the beginning too. They gave you the perfect advice. Just hold that thing on the ground untill it flies all by its self. I think it is a combination of a tip stall and the torque from the prop. It deffinintly makes for a fast roll. I also agree that the plane is a blast once you get it in the air. I love mine. If you can learn how to get it in the air, it is a great plane. Good luck